CHAINS

Chapter 25

Hindi ko manguya ng maayos ang kinakain ko. Ako lang ata ang di maenjoy ang pagkain. I'm nervous as hell.

Everyone is chatting with each other.
Asher is with his cousins. Magkakatabi ang mga bata. May mga nanny din sa tabi ng mga kids na nakaalalalay sa pagkain nila lalo na sa mga toddlers.

Ashton is by my side pero kausap naman ang mga kapatid niya. I don't really mind him not talking to me. Mas gusto ko na di kami nag uusap dahil hindi naman maganda ang kadalasang lumalabas sa bibig niya. I sighed. I know it6bad to sigh lalo na harap ng hapag-kainan.

I just feel so out of place. I feel uncomfortable and suffocated.

Nang pumasok ang mag asawa kanina,  sinalubong agad sila ng mga apo nila. I look at them and they look like normal loving grandparents. I guess the kids adore them. Umaliwalas din ang mukha ng matandang lalaki na walang kaemo emosyon nang pumasok.

Everyone greeted them. I reluctantly greeted the couple too. Niyakap at nakipag beso sa akin ang ina ni Ashton na si Aurora. Tumango naman sa akin si Raven but he gave me a meaningful look.

Kahit sa hapag kainan ay puro business ang pinag uusapan ng mga lalaki. They were laughing sometimes too. Outsiders would think that this family is normal. Well, wait until all the children are out of sight.

I was so out of my mind dahil di ko namalayan na tumayo pala ang matandang lalaki at pinatunog ang champagne glass gamit ang maliit na kutsara.

Umangat ang tingin ko at lahat ng atensyon ay nasa akin.

My insides churn at the uneasiness and my hands became clammy.

"And now, a toast for Molly. For coming back to the family." Anito na nakatingin sa akin. He was smiling but his eyes speaks louder. He is not happy that i am here.

I swallowed an invisible lump. My throat felt dry and my heart is racing triple now. I feel like I'm about to pass out dahil parang namumuti ang paningin ko.

Everyone raised there glasses too smiling like this is such a good news to them.

Though uncomfortable, I smiled reluctantly and raised my glass as well.

"Welcome home, my dear." Aurora said to me. Genuinely happy.

God! These people are insufferable!

I cannot stand them!

"Well, say something." Ashton nudge me to stand up. He put his hand on my waist and rubbed it up and down.

I wanted to glare at this man!

Ano ang gusto niyang sabihin ko? Na masaya akong nakabalik na dito sa lugar na ito? Na gustong gusto ko na magkabalikan kami? Magkabalikan? Naging kami ba? Ni hindi nga ako naging girlfriend ng hayop na to. Inanakan lang ako at ginawang parausan.

I looked at each and every one of them. They are all waiting for me to say something but i can't even move my mouth. I don't even know what to say.

"I.. I just wanna say ... Ahm.. thank you for being here." No I'm not. " Ahm.. and ah.. i.. I'm glad to be here again. Thank you for the warm welcome." I managed to put another smile on my face. I know i look awkward. Who wouldn't when I'm straight up lying. Hindi ko naman pwedeng pilitin ang sarili ko na magmukhang genuine na masaya.

Nagsitanguan naman silang lahat at mukha namang satisfied sa sinabe ko. Tinaguan ako ulit ni Raven.

I sat down again and i didn't realize that my hands was shaking when i placed the glass down. When will i ever be completely alone with my son again? No Ashton and no other Bjornes. I don't wanna be this wreck anymore. Lagi nalang akong nanginginig. I feel like i will have a short life with this people around.